Fletching 1-99 Guide OSRS

Fletching is one of the fastest and most versatile skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Whether you’re aiming for the prestigious Fletching skill cape, seeking profit, or unlocking content for quests and diaries, this guide will walk you through the most efficient methods to reach level 99. From cost-effective strategies to high-intensity, zero-time training, we’ll cover everything you need to know to master Fletching in OSRS.
Fletching is a members-only skill that allows players to craft ranged weapons and ammunition, such as bows, arrows, and darts. It’s highly valued for its speed, simplicity, and potential profitability. Here are some key reasons to train Fletching:
- Fast Experience Rates: Fletching can be the quickest skill to 99, with top methods offering over 1M XP per hour.
- Profit Potential: Methods like stringing bows or tipping bolts can yield significant gold.
- Passive Training: Many Fletching activities can be done while questing, training other skills, or running around Gielinor.
- Quest and Diary Requirements: High Fletching levels unlock key content, such as Dragon Slayer II (level 70) and achievement diaries.
Questing for Early Fletching Levels
Before diving into training methods, consider completing quests that reward Fletching experience. These can skip early levels and save time. Below are quests with low requirements that provide a strong start:
Recommended Quests
- Animal Magnetism: Requires 18 Slayer, 19 Crafting, 30 Ranged, 35 Woodcutting. Rewards 1,000 Fletching XP (Level 1 to 9).
- Big Chompy Bird Hunting: Requires 5 Fletching, 30 Cooking, 30 Ranged. Rewards 262 Fletching XP.
- Zogre Flesh Eaters: Requires 4 Smithing, 8 Herblore, 30 Ranged. Rewards 2,000 Fletching XP (Level 9 to 18).
- Temple of Ikov: Requires 42 Thieving, 40 Ranged. Rewards 8,000 Fletching XP (Level 18 to 28).
- The Fremennik Trials: Requires 25 Fletching, 40 Woodcutting, 40 Crafting. Rewards 2,812 Fletching XP (Level 28 to 30).
Completing these quests grants a total of 14,074 XP, boosting you to level 30 with minimal effort. This is especially useful for ironmen or players with low starting funds.
Fastest Fletching Training Methods (1-99)
The fastest way to 99 Fletching involves high-intensity, click-heavy methods like fletching darts or bolts. These “zero-time” methods have no in-game delay, meaning XP rates depend on your clicking speed. However, they can be expensive and require significant capital.
Levels 1-5: Arrow Shafts
Start by fletching arrow shafts from regular logs. Each log yields 15 arrow shafts, granting 5 XP per log (0.33 XP per shaft).
- Materials: 78 logs, knife.
- XP/Hour: ~6,700.
- Cost: ~1.5K loss (buying logs from Grand Exchange).
- Tip: Cut your own logs if you’re low on gold or playing an ironman account.
Levels 5-22: Headless Arrows and Bronze Darts
From level 5, make headless arrows by combining arrow shafts with feathers (1:1 ratio). At level 10, switch to bronze darts after completing the Tourist Trap quest (requires 10 Fletching, 20 Smithing).
Method | Level | XP/Action | XP/Hour | Materials | Approx. Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Headless Arrows | 5-10 | 15 (per 15 arrows) | 45,000 | 2,505 arrow shafts, 2,505 feathers | Break-even or small profit |
Bronze Darts | 10-22 | 18 (per 10 darts) | 388,800 | Bronze dart tips, feathers | High cost (~10-20K) |
Pro Tip: Use a touchscreen device or double-click method (click feathers, double-click dart tips) for faster dart fletching.
Levels 22-52: Iron to Mithril Darts
Continue fletching darts, progressing to iron darts (level 22) and mithril darts (level 37). These offer excellent XP rates but are costly.
- Iron Darts (22-37): 38 XP per 10 darts, ~600,000 XP/hour. Requires 19 Smithing.
- Mithril Darts (37-52): 112 XP per 10 darts, ~800,000 XP/hour. Requires 54 Smithing.
- Cost: Expect to spend millions due to buy limits (13,000 dart tips per 4 hours).
- Tip: Buy materials in bulk or ask clanmates to trade dart tips to bypass Grand Exchange limits.
Levels 52-99: Broad Arrows or Adamant Darts
At level 52, unlock broad arrow fletching for 300 Slayer points. Broad arrows are a fast, semi-AFK method, especially for ironmen, as supplies can be bought in bulk. Alternatively, adamant darts (level 67) offer the highest XP rates.
Method | Level | XP/Action | XP/Hour | Materials | Approx. Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broad Arrows | 52-99 | 165 (per 15 arrows) | 300,000-400,000 | Headless arrows, broad arrowheads | ~50-60M loss |
Adamant Darts | 67-99 | 150 (per 10 darts) | 1,000,000-1,500,000 | Adamant dart tips, feathers | ~100M+ loss |
Note: Adamant darts require intense focus and quick clicking. Broad arrows are more relaxed but slower. Check Grand Exchange prices before committing, as costs fluctuate.
Profitable and AFK Fletching Methods
If you prefer making money or a more relaxed training experience, fletching and stringing bows is the way to go. This method is slower but can net millions in profit.
Levels 5-40: Shortbows and Oak Longbows
Start with shortbows (level 5) and longbows (level 10), then move to oak shortbows (level 20) and oak longbows (level 25).
- Shortbows (5-10): 5 XP per bow, ~8,500 XP/hour, ~3K loss.
- Longbows (10-20): 10 XP per bow, ~17,000 XP/hour, ~4K loss.
- Oak Shortbows (20-25): 16.5 XP per bow, ~28,050 XP/hour, ~8K loss.
- Oak Longbows (25-40): 25 XP per bow, ~42,500 XP/hour, ~12K loss.
Levels 40-85: Willow to Yew Longbows
Stringing willow longbows (level 40), maple longbows (level 55), and yew longbows (level 70) becomes profitable and semi-AFK.
- Willow Longbows (40-55): 41.5 XP per bow, ~99,000 XP/hour, ~60K profit.
- Maple Longbows (55-70): 58.3 XP per bow, ~140,000 XP/hour, ~400K profit.
- Yew Longbows (70-85): 75 XP per bow, ~180,000 XP/hour, ~5.7M profit.
Levels 85-99: Magic Longbows
Stringing magic longbows is the most profitable method, offering decent XP and substantial gold.
- Magic Longbows (85-99): 91.5 XP per bow, ~220,000 XP/hour.
- Materials: 106,840 unstrung magic longbows, 106,840 bowstrings.
- Profit: ~15-20M (varies with market prices).
- Time: ~45 hours.
Tip: Use bank presets to swap 14 unstrung bows and 14 bowstrings instantly, speeding up the process.
Tips for Efficient Fletching Training
Maximize your Fletching efficiency with these strategies:
General Tips
- Dragonfruit Pies: Boosts Fletching by +4 levels, allowing access to higher-tier methods early. Costs ~225 GP per boost.
- Passive Training: Fletch darts or bolts during Agility, Farming, or questing to save time.
- Monitor Prices: Use a Fletching calculator to check GP/XP ratios, as prices fluctuate.
- Ironman Strategy: Bank logs from Woodcutting, feathers from birdhouse runs, and arrowheads from Smithing or PvM.
Advanced Techniques
- Double-Click Method: For darts, click feathers once, then double-click dart tips to maintain a rhythm.
- Touchscreen Advantage: Use two fingers on a touchscreen to tap feathers and dart tips simultaneously for darts.
- Bulk Buying: Stock up on dart tips or arrowheads to avoid Grand Exchange buy limits.
Conclusion
Fletching from 1-99 in OSRS is a rewarding journey, offering flexibility for all playstyles. Whether you chase the fastest XP with darts, prioritize profit with magic longbows, or train passively while multitasking, this guide provides a clear path to the Fletching skill cape. Always check Grand Exchange prices, leverage quests for early XP, and use boosts like dragonfruit pies to optimize your training. Happy fletching, and may your arrows fly true!